Playmakers Banged Up in Chiefs Loss
By: Justin Sampson
Updated: December 10, 2012
(CLEVELAND, Oh.) The Chiefs were hoping the emotional roller coaster of the past week could translate into another performance like the one they gave against Carolina last Sunday.
But it was not to be in Cleveland, as the Chiefs fell 30-7 to the Browns on Sunday.
Kansas City (2-11) started with a bang as Jamaal Charles provided another early lead, breaking an 80-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage.
However, the wheels began to fall off shortly thereafter.
It was sparked by a blow to the team's offense as wide receiver Dwayne Bowe went down with a rib injury in the first quarter. He did not return to the game, while head coach Romeo Crennel said afterwards the extent of the injury was still being evaluated.
Then, Ryan Succop was put into position to extend the lead early in the first with a field goal attempt from the 21-yard line, but sent the boot off the left crossbar.
Browns kicker Phil Dawson didn't miss late in the quarter, knocking through a 23-yard attempt to make it 7-3 heading into the second frame.
There, Travis Benjamin rattled off the longest punt return in Browns (5-8) history for 93 yards and a touchdown. Cleveland took that 10-7 lead to the locker room.
The Chiefs offense continued to stall after Charles came down hard on his ribs in the first half. He would continue to get carries, however, going for 165 yards on 18 touches.
The Browns' young tailback, Trent Richardson, picked up a pair of one-yard touchdown plunges in the second half. That tied Jim Brown's 55-year-old mark for most rushing scores for a Browns rookie with nine. It also provided a 27-7 lead for Cleveland at the 14:17 mark of the fourth quarter after Dawson connected on a 24-yard field goal.
The kicker booted his third make of the day from 34 yards, putting the Chiefs in a 30-7 hole with just over nine minutes to play in the game.
Quarterback Brady Quinn struggled as well, completing 10 of 21 passes for 159 yards and an interception.
The Chiefs travel to Oakland for their second battle of the year with the Raiders next Sunday.
